Honkai Star Rail 3.4 Drops TODAY: Get Free Characters, Rewards
Holy blazes, Trailblazers! I'm literally vibrating with excitement because Honkai Star Rail 3.4 is just HOURS AWAY from release, and let me tell you - this update is absolutely STACKED. We're talking about THREE new 5-star characters (one completely FREE), the long-awaited Fate/Stay Night collaboration, massive buffs to fan-favorite characters, and the climactic conclusion to Amphoreus Act 1.
After staying up way too late analyzing every detail from the livestream and beta leaks, I've compiled everything you need to know about Version 3.4 "For the Sun is Set to Die". Whether you're here for Phainon's release time or wondering how to snag that free Archer, I've got you covered!
Table of Contents
Honkai Star Rail 3.4: Quick Info Summary
| Release Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Update Name | For the Sun is Set to Die |
| NA Release | July 1, 2025, 8:00 PM PST |
| EU/Asia Release | July 2, 2025, 11:00 AM CST |
| Maintenance Duration | 5 hours |
| Maintenance Compensation | 300 Stellar Jades |
| New 5★ Characters | Phainon, Saber, Archer (FREE) |
| Version Duration | 6 weeks (until August 12, 2025) |
HSR 3.4 Release Date & Times (All Timezones)
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. I know you're all dying to know exactly when you can jump back into the game, so here's the complete breakdown:
Global Release Schedule
Honkai Star Rail 3.4 is confirmed to be released on July 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM PST for NA servers and July 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST for the rest of the world.
Complete Timezone Breakdown:
| Region | Release Date & Time |
|---|---|
| North America (PST) | July 1, 2025 - 8:00 PM |
| North America (EDT) | July 1, 2025 - 11:00 PM |
| China/Singapore (CST) | July 2, 2025 - 11:00 AM |
| Japan (JST) | July 2, 2025 - 12:00 PM |
| India (IST) | July 2, 2025 - 8:30 AM |
| UK (BST) | July 2, 2025 - 4:00 AM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | July 2, 2025 - 5:00 AM |
| Australia (AEST) | July 2, 2025 - 1:00 PM |
| New Zealand (NZST) | July 2, 2025 - 3:00 PM |
Maintenance Schedule
The servers will go under maintenance for around 5 hours before the update. Players won't be able to log in during this period, and those who are already in the game will be forcefully logged out.
Pro Tip: Set an alarm for 30 minutes before maintenance ends - servers often come back online early, and you don't want to miss those first precious minutes of 3.4!
New Characters in Honkai Star Rail Version 3.4
This is where things get SPICY! We're getting not one, not two, but THREE incredible 5-star characters. Let me break down what makes each of them special:
Phainon - The One-Man Army (Phase 1)
Phainon is an upcoming playable 5-star character that follows the Path of Destruction and uses the Physical element. But here's what makes him absolutely INSANE:
As a 5-star Physical Destruction unit, he brings a special mechanic into the game: instead of charging Energy for his Ultimate, he builds up Coreflame stacks. And once he's full, he enters a self-contained Territory where your entire team vanishes, and it's just him vs. the world.
Phainon Key Features:
- Element: Physical
- Path: Destruction
- Role: Hypercarry DPS
- Unique Mechanic: Inside his Territory, buffs don't expire, and he can rotate through three different skills while dishing out consistent AoE pain.
- Banner Duration: July 1, 2025 (UTC-5) to July 23, 2025
Saber - The Excalibur Wielder (Fate Collab)
Yes, THAT Saber from Fate/Stay Night! Saber is a 5-star character that follows the Path of Destruction and uses the Wind element.
As part of the massive Fate/Stay Night collab, Saber joins the roster as a 5-star Wind Destruction unit with a combat style built around Ultimate spam and Core Resonance stacks. Every time an ally uses their Ultimate, Saber gains energy and amplifies her damage.
Saber Key Features:
- Element: Wind
- Path: Destruction
- Playstyle: Ultimate-focused burst damage
- Best Partners: Characters with fast Ultimate rotations
- Banner Start: July 11, 2025 (Server Time)
Archer - The FREE 5-Star Hunt Unit (Fate Collab)
Here's the best news of the entire update: Starting July 11 and lasting until the end of Version 3.6, all Trailblazers who log in can claim the limited 5-star collaboration character, Archer, for free.
Archer is another 5-star character that follows the Path of the Hunt and uses the Quantum element. His kit is absolutely bonkers:
His Skill doesn't end his turn, meaning he can stack up to five Skills in one round if you've got the points. And, his Ultimate grants him Charges that let him follow up on ally attacks, dealing bonus damage, and regenerating Skill Points.
Archer Key Features:
- Element: Quantum
- Path: The Hunt
- Cost: COMPLETELY FREE
- Claim Period: July 11, 2025 - End of Version 3.6
- Best Support: Sparkle (for Skill Point management)
Complete Banner Schedule
Let me break down exactly when each banner drops and what's featured:
Phase 1 Banners (July 1/2 - July 23, 2025)
Character Banners:
- Phainon Banner - "To Evermore Burn as the Sun"
- Featured 5★: Phainon
- 4★ Rate-ups: Tingyun, March 7th, and Yukong
- Indelible Coterie Banner (Rerun Selection)
- Featured 5★: Tribbie, Sparkle, and Sunday
- 4★ Rate-ups: Same as Phainon banner
Light Cone Banners:
- Brilliant Fixation: Thus Burns the Dawn (Phainon's signature)
- Coalesced Truths: If Time Were a Flower, Earthly Escapade, and A Grounded Ascent
Fate Collaboration Banners (July 11, 2025 - TBA)
The Fate Collab banners for Saber and Archer will start on July 11, 2025 (Server Time). There's no fixed end date and no 4-star rate-up characters for the Fate Collab banners.
IMPORTANT: The Fate Collaboration Warp Banner has also been announced to have a separate cumulative warp count. This means your pity from regular banners won't carry over!
Special Bonus: In addition, spending a total amount of 200 Star Rail Special Passes on any 3.4 Warp Banner will allow you to get Archer's Light Cone, The Hell Where Ideals Burn, when the collab releases on July 11, 2025!
Phase 2 Banners (July 23 - August 12, 2025)
Indelible Coterie Banner:
- Featured 5★: Firefly, Jingliu, and Blade
- 4★ Rate-ups: Hanya, Lynx, and Luka
New Maps and Story Content
For the Sun is Set to Die - Main Story
This mission picks up the next chapter of the Amphoreus storyline and follows the Astral Express as they work with Phainon to recover the final Coreflame and prevent destruction.
Get ready for:
- Heavy lore drops about Amphoreus
- The climactic conclusion to Act 1
- Fresh enemies and epic boss encounters
Aedes Elysiae - New Explorable Area
Get ready to head into Aedes Elysiae, the mystical hometown of Phainon. Based on beta footage, this area is absolutely GORGEOUS with ethereal architecture and cosmic aesthetics that'll have you taking screenshots every five seconds.
Sweet Dreams and the Holy Grail - Fate Collab Quest
The Fate/Stay Night collaboration comes with its own Trailblaze Continuance mission! This one sets the stage for Saber and Archer's arrival, blending both worlds into a lore-rich crossover event.
New Game Modes and Events
Fate/Stay Night Collaboration Event
The headline event of 3.4! Starting July 11, we're getting:
- FREE Archer just for logging in
- Exclusive collaboration story content
- Limited-time rewards and achievements
- Special warp banners lasting until Version 3.6
Character Buffs - Old Favorites Get New Life
This is HUGE news for veteran players! In Version 3.4, Silver Wolf, Blade, Kafka, and Jingliu will have their abilities, Traces, and Eidolons buffed. You can also toggle between the enhanced state or previous state of the characters anytime you please!
Buff Highlights:
Silver Wolf:
- Her Ultimate now reduces DEF of all enemies, not just one–yep, AoE debuff madness
- Weakness implant now prioritizes the Type of your first team member
Blade:
- His skills now scale with Max HP, which means big survivability = big damage
- Gains extra Energy after his Follow-Up attacks
Kafka:
- Her Skill now instantly triggers current DoTs on attacked enemies
- After any ally attacks, Kafka launches a Follow-Up Attack (with a cooldown)
Jingliu:
- Her abilities now scale with Max HP, making her bulkier and more consistent
- Every time an ally loses HP, she gains CRIT DMG stacks
New Features and Quality of Life Updates
- Skip Dialogue Function - FINALLY! Perfect for alt accounts or story reruns
- Firefly Spring Missive Skin - This is the second character skin that will be added to the game and can be bought from the Contract Shop at a discounted price of 1,350 Oneiric Shards
- New Planar Ornament Sets:
- Arcadia of Woven Dreams - Perfect for Phainon
- Revelry by the Sea - Ideal for DoT teams
Battle Pass and Season Pass Details
The new Nameless Honor battle pass includes:
- New 4★ Light Cones added to selection
- Standard rewards (Stellar Jade, materials, etc.)
- Exclusive namecard and chat bubble designs
Balance Changes and Updates
Beyond the character buffs mentioned earlier, we're seeing:
- Adjustments to Memory of Chaos difficulty scaling
- Pure Fiction enemy lineup refresh
- New Apocalyptic Shadow boss mechanics
How to Prepare for Version 3.4
Listen up, because proper prep can save you HOURS of grinding:
1. Pre-Download the Update
- PC Size: Approximately 5.8 GB
- Mobile Size: Around 2.6 GB
- Start downloading 6-8 hours before release to avoid server congestion
2. Resource Checklist
Before maintenance starts:
- ✅ Complete all weekly bosses
- ✅ Claim expiring mail rewards
- ✅ Use up Trailblaze Power (it caps during maintenance)
- ✅ Finish any ending events
- ✅ Stock up on character ascension materials
3. Stellar Jade Management
With three new 5-stars dropping, here's my priority recommendation:
- F2P Players: Save everything for Phainon or wait for Archer (free)
- Light Spenders: Consider Phainon + one Fate character
- Collectors: Good luck, and may the gacha gods have mercy
4. Team Preparation
Start building these supports NOW:
- For Phainon: Sunday, Fu Xuan, or any strong shielder
- For Saber: Robin, Sparkle, or Ruan Mei
- For Archer: Sparkle (essential for SP management)
Pro Tips from a Day-One Player
After playing since launch, here's my insider advice:
- Don't Pull Immediately - Wait 2-3 days for theorycrafters to test optimal builds
- Free Archer is Legit - Don't skip him just because he's free; early testing shows he's incredibly strong
- Buff Toggle is Game-Changing - Test both versions of buffed characters before investing
- Save Contract Currency - Firefly's skin will increase in price after 3.4
Community Reaction and Hype
The HSR community is absolutely LOSING IT over this update. Here's what's trending:
- #PhainonSweep is already dominating Twitter
- Fate fans are celebrating the faithful character adaptations
- Veterans are excited about breathing new life into old favorites with buffs
Version 3.4 vs Previous Updates
This might be the most content-rich update since 2.0 Penacony. We're getting:
- More new characters than any previous .4 patch
- First major character buff system implementation
- Longest-running collaboration event to date
Countdown Timer Reference
Can't wait? Neither can I! Keep refreshing that game launcher - servers often open 15-30 minutes early. Set your alarms, clear your schedule, and get ready for one of HSR's biggest updates yet!
FAQs - Your Burning Questions Answered
When exactly does HSR 3.4 release in my timezone?
Check our comprehensive timezone table above. NA gets it July 1st evening, while most other regions get it July 2nd.
Is Archer really free? What's the catch?
Starting July 11 and lasting until the end of Version 3.6, all Trailblazers who log in can claim the limited 5-star collaboration character, Archer, for free. No catch - just log in!
How long will the Fate collaboration last?
They will be available in the Fate Collaboration Warp Banner until the end of Version 3.6. That's approximately 18 weeks!
Can I toggle character buffs on and off?
Yes! You can also toggle between the enhanced state or previous state of the characters anytime you please!
What's the maintenance compensation?
All eligible players receive 300 Stellar Jades (almost 2 free pulls). You must be Trailblaze Level 4 before maintenance starts.
Should I pull for Phainon or wait for Fate characters?
Depends on your account needs. Phainon is a hypercarry DPS, while Saber and Archer offer different playstyles. Plus, Archer is free!
Will my pity carry over to Fate banners?
No! The Fate Collaboration Warp Banner has also been announced to have a separate cumulative warp count.
How big is the pre-download?
PC: ~5.8 GB, Mobile: ~2.6 GB. Start early to avoid last-minute rushing!
Final Thoughts
Honkai Star Rail 3.4 is shaping up to be an absolute BANGER of an update. Between Phainon's game-changing mechanics, the incredible Fate collaboration, massive character buffs, and the culmination of Amphoreus Act 1, there's something here for everyone.
My personal plan? I'm going all-in on Phainon (that Territory mechanic is too cool to pass up), then saving for Saber while enjoying my free Archer. The character buffs have me especially excited - my E2 Kafka is about to become a monster again!
Remember to use those HSR codes for extra Stellar Jade, and check out our character tier list to see where these new additions might rank!
The countdown is on, Trailblazers. In just a few hours, we'll be diving into one of the most ambitious updates in Honkai Star Rail history. May your pulls be blessed, your 50/50s won, and your Amphoreus adventure legendary!
Don't forget to bookmark this page - I'll be updating it with any last-minute changes or announcements. See you on the Astral Express!
Last updated: July 2025 - Check back for the latest HSR 3.4 news and updates!